E‑juice vs CBD vape juice: what’s the difference

Aug 11, 2025

Whether you’re an experienced vaper expanding your horizons or a beginner, it can be hard to keep track of the different types of vape juice on the market.

Two of which we’ll be diving into today: e-juice and CBD vape juice. While both can be added to vapes, each one offers a unique experience, and knowing the difference can help you find the right option for you.

We’ll also clear up some common questions, like:

Can you vape CBD and nicotine together?
Is CBD vape oil the same as CBD vape juice?
When should you choose e-juice or CBD vape juice?

At Juicemate, we know our liquids. With something for every preference, we’re here to provide you with the best experience possible, whether that’s with a fruity blend or a strong nicotine hit.

Browse our e-liquids for the best deals on brands like Hangsen and Vapemate. But before you do! Let’s break down CBD vape juice and e-liquids from what they’re made of, how they work, and when to use them.

What is e-juice?

E-juice, also known as e-liquid, is the substance that you find in most vapes.

While both terms are used interchangeably (and they basically mean the same thing), e-juice is often referred to as fruity e-liquids. These liquids often contain nicotine, with many tobacco smokers now switching to vapes as a healthier alternative.

Most e-liquids are made up of four ingredients:

Propylene Glycol (PG): A thin, tasteless liquid that carries flavour and gives you that satisfying “throat hit”.
Vegetable Glycerin (VG): Thicker than PG, VG makes each inhalation feel smoother and contributes to dense vapour clouds.
Flavourings: These are food-grade ingredients that provide a variety of flavours, including menthol, tobacco, and fruity blends and desserts.
Nicotine (optional): Various nicotine concentrations are available in e-liquids, ranging from 0 mg (nicotine-free) to 20 mg (particularly in nicotine salt form).

E-juice is especially beneficial for people who are trying to cut back on cigarettes or who like to have more choice of flavours. E-liquids come with different PG/VG ratios, which affect both the experience and compatibility with certain vapes.

A 50/50 ratio offers a mild throat hit and decent vapour, while 70/30 VG produces bigger clouds and a smoother throat hit. If you’re after more flavour and a stronger hit, then go for 60/40 PG.

What is CBD vape juice?

You may have guessed it, but CBD vape juice is just e-liquid that contains CBD or cannabidiol, instead of nicotine.

CBD vape juice is designed specifically for compatibility with vapes; you can’t just pour CBD oil into a vape and call it a day.

Unlike nicotine, it doesn’t give you that buzz or rush of pleasure. Instead, it provides a calming effect, ideal for those who want to de-stress without the psychoactive high associated with cannabis.

Similar to traditional e-liquids, CBD vape juice is thin enough to be used in refillable tanks, pods, and pens, and they vary in PG and VG ratios. This usually contains:

CBD isolate or broad-spectrum CBD extract: CBD isolate is 99% pure CBD with no other plant compounds, while broad-spectrum includes other cannabinoids and terpenes (but 0% THC).
PG (Propylene Glycol): Provides the flavour and throat hit.
VG (Vegetable Glycerine): Helps produce vapour clouds and a smooth inhale.
Flavourings: They can come in fruity or minty flavours, or even natural terpene profiles.

In fact, vaping CBD is one of the quickest ways to feel its effects!

What are the main differences between e-juice and CBD vape juice?

So, let’s get to the juicy part (no pun intended).

How different, exactly, are e-juice and CBD vape juice from one another?

1. Purpose

E-liquid is designed to ‘mimic’ the feeling of smoking without as many negative effects. It provides that familiar “hit” many ex-smokers look for while allowing you to customise the flavour and choose your nicotine strength.

CBD vape juice, on the other hand, doesn’t contain nicotine or any intoxicating compounds like THC. Instead, the CBD is designed to produce a calming experience for those looking for non-psychoactive vaping solutions.

2. Effects

Effects	E-juice (nicotine)	CBD vape juice
Mental impact	Alertness, focus, slight buzz	Calm, mental clarity, ease
Physical sensation	Strong throat hit (especially in higher-strength e-liquids) and increased heart rate	Smooth inhalation and relaxing bodily sensation
Mood	Dopamine hit and energy increase	Grounding and calming aftereffect
Duration of effects	30–60 minutes (depending on strength and usage)	30 minutes to 2 hours (depending on dose and the user)
Onset time	Seconds	1-5 minutes
Addictive?	Yes, nicotine can be addictive, but it can help with cigarette withdrawal.	No, CBD is a non-addictive substance

3. Device compatibility

While e-liquid and CBD vape juice share a similar base (PG and VG), they are compatible with different types of devices based on the coil type, wattage, and airflow.

50/50 PG/VG e-liquid is compatible with pods, starter kits, and MTL vapes, while 70/30 VG e-juice should be used with sub-ohm kits and DTL vapes with lower resistance coils.

When it comes to CBD vape juice, these are best for low-wattage vape pens or MTL tanks with 1.0–1.8 ohm coils. Any higher can degrade the compound and reduce the effects.

Can you vape CBD and nicotine together?

Yes, it’s entirely possible to vape both CBD and nicotine together, as long as they have a similar PG/VG ratio and your device supports both.

However, we don’t recommend doing this unless you’re an experienced vaper who knows what they’re doing or you’re using low-strength e-liquid.

A more sensible option is to simply have two separate devices for both and change between them throughout the day.

Avoid mixing nicotine salts or high-nicotine e-liquids, as these contain around 10-20 mg of nicotine, which is absorbed faster. Doing so could lead to dizziness, overstimulation, and nausea.

Is CBD vape oil the same as CBD vape juice?

No, CBD vape oil and CBD vape juice are, in fact, two separate substances.

While they’re sometimes used interchangeably, CBD vape juice, or e-liquid, is a PG/VG-based liquid that behaves just like normal e-liquids and can be added to standard vape pens or refillable pods.

CBD vape oils are thicker, making them incompatible with vape pens or tanks. These are more concentrated, often contain 50–70% CBD, and usually come in pre-filled cartridges for dedicated CBD vape pens. These are NOT the same as oils that you place under the tongue.

However, both CBD oil and vape juice are made by mixing CBD isolate or distillate with an oil base and often contain terpenes and flavours for added benefits.

The difference is that CBD vape juice contains vegetable glycerine (VG) and propylene glycol (PG), while CBD vape oils are made from CBD distillate or full-spectrum hemp extract, often mixed with natural cannabis-derived terpenes.

When to choose each type

Are you undecided on which option is best for you? Here’s a quick pick to simplify the decision.

Choose e-juice if…

You want to cut back on or replace cigarettes and are seeking a strong-tasting, nicotine-based vaping experience.

Choose CBD vape juice if…

You're looking for a nicotine-free solution that will help you relax, cope with stress, or enjoy a calming session without any stimulating effects.

Why buy from Juicemate?

So, are you ready to take your vaping experience to the next level?

If so, we have just what you need to get started at JuiceMate. With various types of delicious flavours, trending vape pens, and different nicotine strengths, you can tailor your experience so it meets all of your needs.

We stock a wide range of e-liquids for all types of vapers:

Nicotine salts – Smoother on the throat with faster nicotine absorption.
Disposable vapes– For people who want something quick and easy.
E-liquids– With a wide range of flavours, strengths, and brands.
Nicotine-free – For those who vape purely for flavour or cloud production.

And plenty more!